49ers' Smith is a Kaepernick booster

Ann Killion

Updated 9:52 am, Thursday, January 24, 2013

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith warms up before an NFC divisional playoff NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in San Francisco, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013.

Photo: Tony Avelar, Associated Press

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Alex Smith warms up before an NFC...

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) and quarterback Alex Smith (11) warm up before an NFC divisional playoff NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in San Francisco, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013.

Photo: Tony Avelar, Associated Press

San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) and...

Head coach Jim Harbaugh, (center) works with quarterbacks Alex Smith, (11) and Colin Kaepernick, (7), as the San Francisco 49ers hold practice at their training facility on Wednesday Jan. 9, 2013, in Santa Clara, Calif., in preparation of NFC playoff game against the Green Bay Packers this weekend.

Photo: Michael Macor, The Chronicle

Head coach Jim Harbaugh, (center) works with quarterbacks Alex...

San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh and quarterback Alex Smith (11)warm up before an NFC divisional playoff NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers in San Francisco, Saturday, Jan. 12, 2013.

Photo: Tony Avelar, Associated Press

San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh and quarterback Alex...

Dec. 30, 2012: Team Alex Smith shows up in the first quarter of the San Francisco 49ers game against the Arizona Cardinals at Candlestick Park.

Photo: Carlos Avila Gonzalez, The Chronicle

Dec. 30, 2012: Team Alex Smith shows up in the first quarter of the...

Quarterback Alex Smith (11) during the San Francisco 49ers game against the Seattle Seahawks at Candlestick Park in San Francisco, Calif., on Thursday October 18, 2012.

Photo: Stephen Lam, Special To The Chronicle

Quarterback Alex Smith (11) during the San Francisco 49ers game...

San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) and Quarterback Alex Smith (11) before the San Francisco 49ers game against the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship game at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta, GA., on Sunday January 20, 2013.

Photo: Brant Ward, The Chronicle

San Francisco 49ers Quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) and...

49ers quarterback Alex Smith warms up as the San Francisco 49ers prepare to take on the Atlanta Falcons in the NFC Championship game on Sunday Jan. 20, 2013, at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta Ga.

In case you're wondering, Alex Smith is officially a member of the Colin Kaepernick fan club.

"We all knew about his playmaking," Smith said Wednesday. "It's the lack of young mistakes that's really jumped out at me.

"Most young guys show flashes but then they have those rookie moments, boneheaded things. He hasn't done it. He's played good ball, patient, smart. I'm impressed most with the consistency of that."

Smith, who will play the role of Joe Flacco in practice, is enjoying the Super Bowl ride, even though it isn't the way he dreamed.

"I'd be lying if I said it wasn't a little bittersweet," he said. "I want to be out there. Coming into the season, that was the goal. At the same time, it's a team sport. You go through so much together. If you can't be happy for them, then something's wrong with you.

"Sure, I want to be out there, but that's secondary to this."

Smith conferred with Kaepernick when the team was trailing 17-0 on Sunday. He said Kaepernick wasn't rattled and has never expressed nervousness.

"As quarterbacks we don't talk about our feelings," Smith said with a smile. "We talk about coverages, progressions. We talk football."

In 2003, Utah's starting quarterback Brett Elliott broke his wrist on the last play of the second game of the season. Smith took over as the starter and Elliott never played again, transferring the next season.

Smith didn't speculate about whether he would, like Elliott, transfer next season. It's sure to be an interesting offseason for him. His wife Elizabeth is expecting their second son in March, around the time Smith's future will be decided. The 49ers could trade him, cut him or keep him on the roster as a backup. The decision must be made by April 1.

But before that, Smith will be a supportive presence.

"That's the nature of sports," Smith said. Kaepernick "got an opportunity, stepped up and made the most of it. That's how I got my start in college, so it would be pretty hypocritical for me to be upset about it."